Mechanical drive arrangement

ABSTRACT

A mechanical drive arrangement having a plurality of output drive members which may be selectively driven from a single input drive member.

[ Aug. 29, 1972 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [54] MECHANICAL DRIVE ARRANGEMENT [72] Inventor:

William S. Little, Jr., Rochester,

[73] Assignee: Xerox 1,321,293 11/1919 'Drake........ Corporation, Stamford, 3,028,767 4/ 1962 Moore Conn. 2,642,756 6/1953 3,564,935 2/1971 Vi eri..... [221 June 1970 989,733 4/191 1 To w nsend. 21 APP] 51 0 3,361,235 1/1968 Sacchini Primary ExaminerArthur I. McKeon .74/665 GA, 74/354, 192/41 S,

Att0rneyJames J. Ralabate, Donald F. Daley and Terry J. Anderson 1 74/353 .Fl6h 37/06, Fl6h 3/34, Fl6d 43/20 [58] Field of Search..74/665 GA, 354, 665 F, 665 G;

7] ABSTRACT A mechanical drive arrangement havinga plurality of output drive members which may be selectively driven from a single input drive member.

[51] Int. Cl.......

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures MECHANICAL DRIVE ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to mechanical drive arrangements and more particularly to mechanical drive arrangements wherein a single input member may be utilized to drive a plurality of output members.

There are many situations wherein it is desirable to provide a plurality of output drives from a single input drive member. This is particularly true in systems wherein a plurality of driving members are required to produce the desired result but wherein the particular system is only adaptable to receiving a single input drive member. For example, in the field ofv coating by vacuum deposition there are many applications wherein it is absolutely essential to the coating process to provide a plurality of driving arrangements internally of the vacuum chamber 'within which the coating process is performed. These include manipulation of the evaporant source and manipulation of the receiving substrate as well as other movements which are essential to performing the process.

However, because of the difficulties associated with maintaining a partial vacuum within the vacuum chamber it is seldom desirable to have more than a single mechanical input extending into the vacuum chamber. In such systems it is extremely difficult to provide a totally effective seal around a mechanical input and the incorporation of a plurality of mechanical inputs extending into the system inherently results in a degradation of the overall quality and efiiciency of the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a mechanical drive arrangement having a plurality of output drive members which may be selectively driven in selected directions of rotation from a single input drive member.

These and other objects of the invention are obtained by an input drive member which is adapted to be driven in opposite directions of rotation, a plurality of output drive members which are adapted to be driven in at least one direction of rotation, and means operatively associated with the input drive member and the output drive members for connecting the input drive member in operative driving relationship with selected ones of the output drive members when the input drive member is driven in a first direction of rotation and for driving selected ones of the output drive members when the input drive member is driven in a second direction of rotation.

Other objects of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following detailed disclosure and description thereof, especially when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring specifically to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a plurality of output members such as shafts 18, 19 and 20 are supported for rotation in frame plates 11 and 12. Frame plates 11 and 12 are supported in generally parallel spaced relationship to each other by means of spacing bars 13 and 14. Frame plates 11 and 12 may be connected to spacing bars 13 and 14 by any suitable fastening means such as screws 15 and 16 which extend through frame plates 11 and 12 into spacing bars 13 and 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an input drive member such as shaft 17 is supported for rotation through one of the frame plates 11 or 12, for example frame plate 11. According to a preferred arrangement, shaft 17 is centrally located in frame plate 11 and the axis thereof extends in a generally parallel direction to the respective axes of output drive members 18, 19 and 20 which are spaced in generally parallel relationship to each other.

As may be seen from FIG. 2, a stub shaft 33 is supported from frame plate 12 in axial alignment with input drive shaft 17 by any suitable fastening means such as screw 31 which extends through frame plate 12 into stub shaft 33. Stub shaft 33 extends in the axial direction toward input drive shaft 17, each of shafts 17 and 33 temiinating proximate to each other to produce a slightly spaced relationship therebetween. Shaft 33 will thus be supported in a non-rotatable relationship relative to frame plates 11 and 12 whereas shaft 17 will be freely rotatable relative thereto.

As may be further seen from FIG. 2, a bushing member 42 is supported axially on stub shaft 33 adjacent frame plate 12. Bushing 42 is rigidly connected to stub shaft 33 and as a result thereforeremains nonrotatable relative to frame plates 11 and 12 as does shaft 33. As an alternate approach bushing 42 may comprise a collar member which is formed as an integral part of shaft 33.

A friction drive member such as spur gear 21 is operatively connected to input drive shaft 17 adjacent frame plate 11. Gear 21 thus rotates with shaft 17, the purpose of which will hereinafter be more fully explained. A bushing member 43 is supported axially on shaft 17 adjacent gear 21 and is operatively connected to shaft 17 to rotate therewith. As an alternate approach bushing 43 may comprise a collar member which is formed as an integral part of shaft 17.

As may be further seen from FIG. 2, a third bushing member 34 is supported axially of shafts 17 and 33 and extends in the axial direction proximate to bushings 42 and 43. However, unlike bushing members 42 and 43, bushing member 34 is freely rotatable relative to shafts 17 and 33. A crank arm 27 is centrally located along bushing member 34 and is operatively connected thereto to rotate about shafts 17 and 33 when bushing 34 is thus rotated. I

A first spirally wound spring member 28 is supported axially over bushing member 43 and extends over the adjacent portion of bushing member 34. A second similar spirally wound spring member26 is supported axially over bushing member 42 and extends over the adjacent portion of bushing member 34. Both of the spring members 28 and 26 are wound in a manner such that in a normal at rest condition the body of the spring members contract in circumferential engagement with the respectively associated portions of bushing members 42, 43 and 34. However, the direction of the spiral winding of one of the spring members 26 and 28.is opposite to the direction of the spiral winding of the other of the spring members. That is, if the spiral of spring member 26 extends in a clockwise direction for example, the spiral of spring member 28 will be arranged to extend in the counterclockwise direction. The purpose for this relative arrangement will hereinafter become more readily apparent.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a stub shaft 29 is connected through the outer end of crank arm 27 and extends. with the axis generally parallel to the axes of shafts 17, 18, 19, and 20. Shaft 29 is rigidly connected at one end in crank arm 27 and terminates at the other end proximate to the surface of frame plate 11. A friction drive member such as spur gear 25 is rotatably supported on shaft 29 adjacent frame plate 11 and meshes with spur gear 21. A bushing member 32 is supported axially along shaft 29 between crank arm 27 and gear 25 to maintain the axial positioning of gear 25 on shaft 29. As an alternative, bushing 32 may comprise a collar member which is formed as an integral part of shaft 29.

It will be appreciated that the plurality of output drive members such as shafts 18, 19 and 20 according to a preferred arrangement are spaced equidistant in a radial direction from input drive member 17. A plurality of friction drive members such as spur gears 22, 23, and 24 are operatively connected to the respectively associated shafts 18, 19 and 20. Gears 22, 23 and 24 are thus rotatable with the respectively associated shafts 18, 19 and 20 and are adapted to mesh with spur gear 25 when spur gear 25 is indexed to a meshing position. Shafts 17, 18 and 19 are supported against axial movement in one direction by means of the respective- 1y connected gear members 22, 23 and 24 and in the other direction by means of collar members 44 connected to the respective shafts adjacent frame plate 12.

From the foregoing arrangement it will therefore be appreciated that rotational movement may be imparted to the drive arrangement through drive shaft 17. With the helical winding of spring members 26 and 28 extending in the respective directions, as shown in FIG. 2, a rotational movement of shaft 17 in a clockwise direction for example, will cause spring member 28 to wrap securely about bushing members 43 and 34. This same rotational movement however will cause spring member 26 to unwrap slightly about bushing members 42 and 34. This combined action therefore permits bushing member 34 and crank arm 27 to rotate with shaft 17 when shaft 17 is rotated in a clockwise direction. However, when shaft 17 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction for example, spring member 28 will tend to unwrap slightly about bushing members 43 and 34. Spring member 26 however will tend to wrap securely about bushing members 42 and 34. Shaft 17 will therefore be permitted to turn freely in a counterclockwise direction while bushing member 34 and crank arm 27 are held securely against rotational movement. Thus as shaft 17 is rotated in a first direction, for example a clockwise direction, gear member 25 may be rotated about gear member 21 to selected positions to engage selected ones of the several gear members 22, 23 and 24. With gear member 25 engaged with a selected one of the gear members 22, 23 and 24, rotation of shaft 17 in asecond direction, for example a counterclockwise direction will produce a corresponding rotation of the respectively associated drive shaft 18, 19 or 20 via the drive train of gear members 21, 25 and one of the gear members 22, 23 or 24.

A plurality of depressions such as 30 are located in frame plate 11 to aid in indexing gear member 25 in a selected position to engage one of the gear members 22, 23 or 24. Depressions 30 are thus located at predetermined locations relative to respectively associated gear members 22, 23 and 24 and gear member 25. A ball detent 35 (FIG. 2) is supported axially of shaft 29 and gear member 25 and is biased'by spring means in'a direction toward frame plate 11. Thus as gear member 25 is indexed to the various positions to engage selected ones of gear members 22, 23 and 24, ball detent 35 will be biased into the associated depression 30 to support gear member 25 at the selected location in engagement with the selected one of gear members 22, 23 and 24. t

' While the drive arrangement as contemplated by the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations in the described embodiment may be implemented without departing from the true spirit of the invention. For example, it will be readily appreciated that other types of drive members may be substituted for gear members 21, 25, 22, 23 and 24 without subtracting from the operability of the invention. It will also be appreciated that the drive arrangement may be readily adapted for use in systems requiring different directions of rotation than those described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. l-3. One way this may be accomplished is by reversing the direction of the spiral winding of spring members 26 and 28. Another way this may be accomplished is by the embodiment of drive arrangement as illustrated in connection with FIG. 4.

In the embodiment of drive arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4, operation is much the same as that as described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS.

1-3. However, the embodiment of FIG. 4 includes friction drive members such as spur gears 36, 37 and 38 which are rotatably joumaled between frame plates 1 1 and 12 on shafts 39, 40 and 41 respectively. Gear members 36, 37 and 38 are positioned to mesh with respectively associated gear members 22, 23 and 24 and are adapted to be engaged by gear member 25.

From this arrangement therefore, if it is desired to produce a rotational movement of a selected output member, shaft 19, for example, in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 shaft 17 will be rotated in a clockwise direction. This movement causes gear member 25 to be rotated about gear member 21 in a clockwise direction through spring member 28, bushing members 34 and 43, crank arm 27 and shaft 29. Shaft 17 may thus be rotated to a position whereat gear member 25 engages and meshes with gear member 37 At this position ball detent 35 associated with gear member 25 will engage the depression in frame plate 11 associated with gear member 37. Gear member 25 will thus be held in engagement with gear member 37 In this position shaft 17 may be rotated in the counterclockwise direction which produces rotational movements of gear member 21 in the counterclockwise direction, gear member 25 in the clockwise direction, gear member 37 in the counterclockwise direction-and gear member 23 and hence shaft 19 connected thereto in the clockwise direction. Thus the desired direction of rotation may be imparted to the selected-output member, shaft 19.

Should it have been desired to produce a rotational movement of shaft 19 in a counterclockwise direction rather than a clockwise direction as previously described, shaft 17 would have been rotated in a clockwise direction to a position whereat gear member 25 engaged and meshed with gear member 23. At this position ball detent 35 associated with gear member 25 would engage the depression in frame plate 11 associated with gear member 23 thus supporting gear member 25 in engagement with gear member 23.

In this position-shaft 17 would then be rotated in the counterclockwise direction producing rotational movements of gear member 21 in the counterclockwise direction, gear member 25 in the clockwise direction, and gear member 23 and hence shaft 19 connected thereto in the counterclockwise direction. Again, the

desired direction of rotational movement would be im-.

parted to the selected output member, shaft 19.

From the foregoing arrangements it should be therefore appreciated by those skilled in the art that there is provided a simple, yet effective and reliable drive arrangement by which a plurality of output drive members may be selectively driven from a single input drive member. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number of friction drive members and the relative sizes and ratios therebetween may be modified or adapted to optimize a specific situation without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred arrangements, it will be generally understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanical drive arrangement comprising,

an input drive member,

a plurality of output drive members radially spaced from said input drive member,

means for connecting said input drive member with a preselected one of said output drive members when said input drive member is driven in a first direction, and

means for driving said preselected one of said output drive members when said input drive member is driven in a second direction.

2. The mechanical drive arrangement according to claim 1 further including,

a plurality of reversing drive members connected in driving relationship with each of said output drive members for driving said output drive members in a second direction of rotation.

3. A mechanical drive arrangement comprising,

an input drive member driven in opposite directions of rotation about an axis,

a plurality of output drive members spaced from said input drive member along the periphery of a circle having a center coincident with the axis of rotation of said input drive member,

at least one intermediate drive member supported for movement along a planetary path of travel extending about the axis of rotation of said input drive member to engage a selected one of said output drive members with said input drive member,

first clutch means for rotating said intermediate drive member along said planetary path to engage said selected one of said output drive members with said input drive member when said input drive member is driven in a first direction of rotation, and

second clutch means for driving said selectively engaged one of said output drive members when said input drive member is driven in a second direction of rotation.

4. The mechanical drive arrangement according to claim 3 further including,

a plurality of reversing drive members connected in driving relationship with each of said output drive members for selective engagement with said intermediate drive member to drive said output drive members in a second direction of rotation when said input drive member is driven in said second direction of rotation.

5. A mechanical drive arrangement comprising,

an input drive member driven in opposite directions of rotation about a central axis,

a plurality of output drive members spaced from said input drive member along the circumference of a circle having a center coinciding with the central axis of rotation for said input drive member,

at least one intertnediate drive member supported for movement along a planetary path of travel extending about the central axis of rotation of said input drive member to engage a selected one of said output drive members with said input drive member,

first clutch means for rotating said intermediate drive member along said planetary path to engage said selected one of said output drive members with said input member when said input drive member is driven in a first direction of rotation, and

second clutch means for driving said selectively engaged one of said output drive members when said input drive member is driven in a second direction of rotation.

mediate drive member to drive said output drive members ina second direction of rotation when said input drive member is driven in said second direction of rotation. 

1. A mechanical drive arrangement comprising, an input drive member, a plurality of output drive members radially spaced from said input drive member, means for connecting said input drive member with a preselected one of said output drive members when said input drive member is driven in a first direction, and means for driving said preselected one of said output drive members when said input drive member is driven in a second direction.
 2. The mechanical drive arrangement according to claim 1 further including, a plurality of reversing drive members connected in driving relationship with each of said output drive members for driving said output drive members in a second direction of rotation.
 3. A mechanical drive arrangement comprising, an input drive member driven in opposite directions of rotation about an axis, a plurality of output drive members spaced from said input drive member along the periphery of a circle having a center coincident with the axis of rotation of said input drive member, at least one intermediate drive member supported for movement along a planetary path of travel extending about the axis of rotation of said input drive member to engage a selected one of said output drive members with said input drive member, first clutch means for rotating said intermediate drive member along said planetary path to engage said selected one of said output drive members with said input drive member when said input drive member is driven in a first direction of rotation, and second clutch means for driving said selectively engaged one of said output drive members when said input drive member is driven in a second direction of rotation.
 4. The mechanical drive arrangement according to claim 3 further including, a plurality of reversing drive members connected in driving relationship with each of said output drive members for selective engagement with said intermediate drive member to drive said output drive members in a second direction of rotation when said input drive member is driven in said second direction of rotation.
 5. A mechanical drive arrangement comprising, an input drive member driven in opposite directions of rotation about a central axis, a plurality of output drive members spaced from said input drive member along the circumference of a circle having a center coinciding with the central axis of rotation for said input drive member, at least one intermediate drive member supported for movement along a planetary path of travel extending about the central axis of rotation of said input drive member to engage a selected one of said output drive members with said input drive member, first clutch means for rotating said intermediate drive member along said planetary path to engage said selected one of said output drive members with said input member when said input drive member is driven in a first direction of rotation, and second clutch means for driving said selectively engaged one of said output drive members when said input drive member is driven in a second direction of rotation.
 6. The mechanical drive arrangement according to claim 5 further including, a plurality of reversing drive members connected in driving relationship with each of said output drive members for selective engagement with said intermediate drive member to drive said output drive members in a second direction of rotation when said input drive member is driven in said second direction of rotation. 